Year 7 literacy and numeracy catch up funding is awarded to schools for those students not reaching the national average scaled score of 100 in either reading or maths at Key Stage 2. It is provided to all state funded schools with a Year 7 cohort. Thorp Academy is determined to support students to ensure that core skills are developed. This is to embed success in English and Maths, but also so that students can be successful across a diverse and rich range of subjects with a core literacy and numeracy base.

2018-19

We have identified 46 (20% of the Cohort) Y7 students who did not reach the expected scaled score of 100 in reading and or who did not reach the expected scaled score of 100 in maths. Baseline assessments and analysis of KS2 tests will reveal the areas that students require further support with. We have also put additional testing in place to ensure identification of low literacy and numeracy:

Suffolk Reading tests

Lexia Testing

Accelerated Reader

In 2018/19 the academy will receive £11,135

Strategy

Cost

Accelerated Reader

Accelerated reader promotes an intensive focus on ensuring students of all abilities are actively reading for meaning. Tracking systems are put in place to evaluate impact on a weekly basis, with priority reader focus on lessons for the reluctant and less confident readers. This will be used by two classes in Year 7 with those students who have not reached the scale score of 100 in reading.

£5,822.49

Lexia

Students work independently to develop critical reading and language skills through individualised, motivating learning paths.All students, regardless of their skill level, can each work at their own pace and the teacher is notified (on web-based reports and via email) only when they require support.

£2,925.00

Tutor time support

Year 7 & 8 students who are less secure in English and Maths will receive on a weekly basis a literacy and numeracy session during tutor time. Students will work in a small group to develop their personal reading, spelling and numeracy skills. Students will be assessed to demonstrate the impact this support has had on their individual skills.

£1,820.00

Resources, incentives and rewards

A variety of resources will be used within the intervention sessions to engage the learners. Further resources are required for those students who the Academy wish to maintain progress and offer support such as homework and competition incentives.

£1,800.00

Other initiatives we will develop are:

A launch event for parents of students involved in the literacy catch up sessions (Lexia)

Purchase of more Non-Fiction low‐level Accelerated Reading Books

Target the use of TAs to support 'catch‐up' students in lessons

Questioning - all teachers to be aware of those students in their lessons who have a scaled score of below 100.

Homework - booklets to encourage development of literacy and numeracy skills in the home (Hegarty Maths).

Focus of Primary transition teaching and learning is literacy (Examples of work provided by primary schools to set expectations)

All trainees and NQTs receive specific literacy training

Reading age data is shared with all staff to inform and improve planning

Expected Outcomes:

Pupils secondary Ready

Improved reading ages across all year groups

Literacy embedded throughout the school (checked by QA process and tracking on reading/comprehension testing)

Teachers planning incorporates and explicitly refers to literacy

Departmental marking and SPAG policies

Improved KS4 outcomes and milestones

Accuracy of Reading ages (Helps inform planning)

2017-18

In 2017 / 2018 we have identified 28 students who did not reach the expected scaled score of 100 in numeracy and 70 students who did not reach the scaled score of 100 in literacy. Baseline assessment and analysis of KS2 tests will reveal the areas that students require further support with.

Funding - £11,135

Review of previous years funding:

Strategy

Cost

Lessons learned

(and whether you will continue with this approach)

Accelerated Reader Accelerated reader promotes an intensive focus on ensuring students of all abilities are activity reading for meaning. This will be used by students below the scaled score.

£3,500

Excellent programme, that needs to be consistently delivered by all tutors (training needed).Large selection of books are needed to cover all interests and reading ages.This strategy will continue

Additional Numeracy provision

Small group intervention delivered by a qualified teacher. Key skills are delivered to ensure that students and progress and succeed in their regular Mathematic lessons. Skills taught include problem solving, number sequences, reading time and arithmetic. Students are assessed using 'numeracy ninjas' and formative assessments.

£78000

Smaller groups allowed the students to have more support from qualified teachers in lessons. This has led to more progress. Students will continue to receive 121 sessions throughout the year.

Additional Literacy provision

Small group intervention delivered by a Higher Level Teaching Assistant which covers key reading and writing skills which include phonics development, handwriting and reading skills. Students are assessed using a number of formative and summative assessment types.

£78000

Smaller groups allowed the students to have more support from qualified teachers in lessons. This has led to more progress. Students will continue to receive 121 sessions throughout the year.

Resources, incentives and rewards A variety of resources will be used within the intervention sessions to engage the learners. Further resources are required for those students who the academy wish to maintain progress and offer support such as competition incentives.

£2,000

Rewards need to be given pre planned intervals, so that impact of individual students can be compared and rewarded.